Dehumidifying device

ABSTRACT

A dehumidifying device in which lower humidity can be achieved in a side to be dehumidified (a side of a box) and the stable continued effect can also be obtained without any dehumidifying effect which stays at a low level due to water vapor gas electrified by an electric panel accommodated in the box side, hydrogen gas existing in outside air, or other floating dusts easily electrified in the air or the like. The dehumidifying device comprises a tubular body provided in a wall section of a box and forming a vent path for air communication between inside and outside of the box, and a vent body formed by providing an electrically grounded conductive porous body adjacent to at least one side of a waterproof membrane having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewith and arranging at least two pairs thereof at a space from each other inside said tubular body to shield an inside space of the vent path into at least one chamber in the direction from the box to the outside.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dehumidifying device suitable fordehumidification of a moisture-proof/drip-proof type of box, especiallyof outdoor equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a conventional type of box aimed at moisture proof or drip proofproperties, for instance, an outdoor box for accommodating an electricpanel therein or the like, an opening/closing section thereof is coveredwith a waterproof seal or at the portion that the cable goes inside ofthe box or from the box to the ouside is protected by a waterproof glandpacking or the like. In the structure described above, outside air islet in according to breathing phenomenon due to a difference intemperature between inside and outside of the box, which causes dewcondensation to occur in the box, so that the present inventor proposeda dehumidifying device in which a vent path is provided in an air tightbox and partitioned into small chambers which were shielded thereby intoa plurality of stages (Refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open PublicationNo. 322060/1993).

However, in this dehumidifying device, a dehumidifying effect becomesunsteady, when a density in water-vapor gas inside thereof becomes oncehigh, according to charged particles such as water-vapor gas enteringthe internal section thereof or according to more charged particleselectrified by the side of the frame such as water-vapor gas inside theframe, or humidity in the side to be dehumidified of the box side isstabilized disadvantageously at a comparatively high level.

In many cases, the water-vapor gas or charged particles in the aircontain mainly electrolytic particles like those contained in sea water,so that dusts together with these electrolytic particles cause amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane to be clogged extremely quicklywhen they enter each chamber in accordance with breathing phenomena ofthe box, which makes weatherproofing easily reduced. Also in theconventional type of apparatus, minimization thereof can not easily berealized.

The present invention was made for solving the problems described above,and it is an object of the present invention to provide a dehumidifyingdevice in which humidity at a low level can be achieved in the side tobe dehumidified (box side) and the stabilized and continued effect ofthe low humidity therein can also be achieved by water-vapor gaselectrified by an electric apparatus accommodated in the box side,water-vapor gas existing in the outside air, or by any other floatingdusts in the air which are easily electrified, or the like without thedehumidifying effect which is badly affected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A dehumidifying device according to claim 1 of the present inventioncomprises a tubular body provided in the portion section of a box andforming a vent path for air communication between inside and outside ofthe box; and a vent body formed by providing an electrically groundedconductive porous body adjacent to at least one side of a waterproofmembrane having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pairtherewith and arranging at least two pairs thereof at a space from eachother inside the tubular body to shield an inside space of the vent pathinto at least one chamber in the direction from the box to the outside.

Herein, the conductive porous body indicates a porous body withelectrically low resistance. For instance, such indicates a metallicmesh.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 1 canpromote a dehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying functionfrom reduction due to strongly electrified gas which caused adehumidifying effect not to be achieved in a conventional type ofdehumidifying device, which was mentioned above, namely in the apparatuspartitioned into small chambers each shielded by moisture-permeablewaterproof membranes into a plurality of stages therein, becauseelectrification in air, surroundings, or of the gas in the box side isdielectrified by the vent path comprising an electrically groundedconductive porous body provided adjacent to at least one side of awaterproof membrane having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes to makea pair therewith, or by selecting any gradient in humidity, obtained bymaking use of the dielectric effect, between the small chambers asrequired according to the environment.

A dehumidifying device according to claim 2 of the present inventioncomprises a tubular body provided in a wall section of a box and forminga vent path for air communication between inside and outside of the box;and a vent body formed by providing conductive porous bodiessuccessively provided and electrically grounded each adjacent to atleast one side of each of waterproof membranes having moisture-permeablemicro-throughholes to make a pair therewith and arranging at least twopairs thereof at a space from each other inside the tubular body toshield an inside space of the vent path into at least one chamber in thedirection from the box to the outside.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 2 canpromote a dehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying functionfrom reduction due to more strongly electrified gas as compared to thatin a case where the conductive porous body is partially grounded bywhich a dehumidifying effect could not be achieved in a conventionaltype of dehumidifying device, namely in the apparatus partitioned intosmall chambers each shielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranesinto a plurality of stages therein, because electrification in air,surroundings, or of the gas in the box side acts as a dielectric by thebent path formed by providing conductive porous bodies successivelyprovided and electrically grounded each adjacent to at least one side ofeach of waterproof membranes having moisture-permeablemicro-throughholes to make a pair therewith, and by making weatherproofing higher, increasing a protecting capability against spoiling ofthe apparatus or by selecting any gradient in humidity, obtained bymaking use of the dielectric effect, between the small chambers asrequired according to the environment.

A dehumidifying device according to claim 3 of the present inventioncomprises a tubular body provided in a wall section of a box and forminga vent path for air communication between inside and outside of the box;and a tubular-shaped vent body with a bottom formed by providing anelectrically grounded conductive porous body adjacent to at least oneside of a waterproof membrane having moisture-permeablemicro-throughholes to make a pair therewith and forming a portion of thewall of the tube therewith, and the vent path is shielded in thedirection from inside of the box to the outside by providing thetubular-shaped vent body with a bottom inside of the tubular body.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 3 canpromote a dehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying functionfrom reduction due to strongly electrified gas which caused adehumidifying effect not to be achieved in the conventional type ofdehumidifying device, namely in the device partitioned into smallchambers each shielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranes into aplurality of stages therein, because electrification in air,surroundings, or of the gas in the box side acts as a dielectric alongthe vent path comprising an electrically grounded conductive porous bodyprovided adjacent to at least one side of a waterproof membrane havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewith andsuitable for a larger type of airtight box because of a higherdischarging rate which can dehumidify more than that in thedehumidifying device according to claim 1, or by selecting any gradientin humidity, obtained by making use of the dielectric effect, betweenthe small chambers as required according to the environment.

A dehumidifying device according to claim 4 of the present inventioncomprises a tubular body provided in a wall section of a box and forminga vent path for air communication between inside and outside of the box;and a tubular-shaped vent body with a bottom formed by providingconductive porous bodies successively provided and electrically groundedeach adjacent to at least one side of each of waterproof membraneshaving moisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewithand forming a portion of the wall of the tube therewith, and the ventpath is shielded in the direction from inside of the box to the outsideby providing the tubular-shaped vent body with a bottom inside of thetubular body.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 4 canpromote a dehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying functionfrom reduction due to more strongly electrified gas as compared to thatin a case where the conductive porous body is partially grounded bywhich a dehumidifying effect could be achieved than a conventional typeof dehumidifying device which in mentioned above that are all connect toearth, namely in the apparatus only partitioned into small chambers eachshielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranes into a plurality ofstages therein, because electrification in air, surroundings, or of thegas in the box side acts as dielectric by the vent path comprisingconductive porous bodies successively provided and electrically groundedeach provided adjacent to at least one side of each of waterproofmembranes having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pairtherewith and suitable for a larger type of airtight box according tothe environment because of a higher discharging rate which candehumidify more than that in the dehumidifying device according to claim2, and by making weather proofing higher, increasing a protectingcapability against spoiling of the box or by selecting any gradient inhumidity, obtained by making use of the dielectric effect, between thesmall chambers as required according to the environment.

A dehumidifying device according to claim 5 according to the presentinvention comprises a tubular body provided in a wall section of a boxand forming a vent path for air communication between inside and outsideof the box; and a vent body formed by providing an electrically groundedconductive porous body adjacent to at least one side of a waterproofmembrane having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes and arranging themembranes at a space from each other inside the tubular body to shieldan inside space of the vent path into a plurality of small chambers.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 5 canpromote a dehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying functionfrom reduction due to more strongly electrified gas as compared to thatin a case where the conductive porous body is partially grounded bywhich a dehumidifying effect could not be achieved in the conventionaltype of dehumidifying device, namely in the device only partitioned intosmall chambers each shielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranesinto a plurality of stages therein, because electrification in air,surroundings, or of the gas in the box side acts as a dielectric by thevent path comprising conductive porous bodies successively provided andelectrically grounded each provided adjacent to at least one side ofeach of waterproof membranes having moisture-permeablemicro-throughholes to make a pair therewith and suitable for a largertype of airtight box because of a higher discharging rate which candehumidify more than that in the dehumidifying device according to claim2, and by making weather proofing higher, increasing a protectingcapability against spoiling of the apparatus or by selecting anygradient in humidity, obtained by making use of the dielectric effect,between the small chambers as required according to the environment.

A dehumidifying device according to claim 6 according to the presentinvention comprises a tubular body provided in a wall section of a boxand forming a vent path for air communication between inside and outsideof the box; and a vent body formed by providing conductive porous bodiessuccessively provided and electrically grounded each adjacent to atleast one side of each of waterproof membranes having moisture-permeablemicro-throughholes and arranging the membranes at a space from eachother inside the tubular body to shield an inside space of the vent pathinto a plurality of small chambers.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 6 canpromote a dehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying functionfrom reduction due to more strongly electrified gas as compared to thatin a case where the conductive porous body is partially grounded bywhich a dehumidifying effect could not be achieved in the conventionaltype of dehumidifying device, namely in the device only partitioned intosmall chambers each shielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranesinto a plurality of stages therein, because electrification in air,surroundings, or of the gas in the box side acts as a dielectric in thevent path comprising conductive porous bodies successively provided andelectrically grounded each provided adjacent to at least one side ofeach of waterproof membranes having moisture-permeablemicro-throughholes to make a pair therewith and suitable for a largertype of airtight box because of a higher discharging rate which candehumidify more than that in the dehumidifying device according to claim2, and by making weather proofing higher, increasing a protectingcapability against spoiling of the apparatus or by selecting anygradient in humidity, obtained by making use of the dielectric effect,between the small chambers as required according to the environment.

In a dehumidifying device according to claim 7 according to the presentinvention, the electrically grounded conductive porous body in the ventpath used in earlier described dehumidifying devices has a wave-frontshape or a concentric circular shape and is provided in a position withconsideration of a convective phenomenon in each chamber (smallchamber).

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 7 canimprove a dehumidifying effect as well as suppress a sucking speed ofgas in the side of outside air at the time of sucking gas by selectingany shape, with which the conductive porous body can uppermost beeffected, among a combination of conductive porous bodies with awave-front shape and a concentric circular shape or a combination of theconductive porous bodies with the same shape each required for designinga shape so that the conductive porous body exists in a path in thedischarging air side as the most appropriate one to avoid thefluctuation because a conductive porous body with a simple concentriccircular shape may generate an unstable element, because theelectrically grounded conductive porous body in the vent path used inthe dehumidifying device has a wave front shape or a concentric circularshape provided in a position decided in consideration of convection ineach chamber, and the electrically conductive porous bodies are placedin a position decided by taking into consideration a difference betweentemperature in the side to be dehumidified and that in the side ofoutside air in accordance with vibration of flux due to inconsistency ofconvective gas in density generated by convection in each of smallchambers, so that, even in one sheet of conductive porous body, thereare places with a large flow and a small flow which fluctuate accordingto a velocity of flow namely flow velocity, a flux of the flow namely aflow, or to gas density in outside air.

A dehumidifying device according to claim 8 according to the presentinvention comprises a tubular body provided in a wall section of a boxand forming a vent path for air communication between inside and outsideof the box; and a vent body formed by providing a weak conductive porousbody comprising a porous electric resistor with high electric resistanceadjacent to at least one side of a waterproof membrane havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewith andarranging the waterproof membrane and conductive porous body as a pairconstituting the vent path at a space from each other inside the tubularbody to shield an inside space of the tubular body.

Herein, the weak conductive porous body indicates a porous body withelectrically high resistance and indicates a mesh made from, forinstance, 4-ethylene fluoride, polyethylene, vinyl chloride, nylon, andpolyester or the like, each of which has a high insulating capability.

A non-conductive porous body is also used in the present invention, butboth are used in the same meaning.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 8 canalso adjust a drying speed at a constant level by adjusting a gradientin an electrostatic potential adjacent to a moisture-permeablewaterproof membrane as an interface between chambers or adjusting thedensity in water vapor therein according to a use of gradient inpotential in an electric resistor or without connecting a discreteelectric resistance to the conductive porous body.

A dehumidifying device according to claim 9 of the present inventioncomprises a tubular body provided in a wall section of a box and forminga vent path for air communication between inside and outside of the box;and at least double tubular-shaped vent bodies each with a bottom formedby providing a weak conductive porous body comprising a porous electricresistor with high electric resistance adjacent to at least one side ofa waterproof membrane having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes tomake a pair therewith and forming a portion of the tubular wall therebyconstituting the vent path, and an inside space of the vent path isshielded into a plurality of stages in the direction from inside tooutside of the box by providing the tubular-shaped vent bodies each witha bottom inside the tubular body.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 9 canadjust a drying speed without adding any discrete electric resistor to agrounded circuit.

In a dehumidifying device the vent path comprises a Peltier'sthermoelectronic element which directs its heating section toward thebox side and also directs its cooling section toward the side of outsideair with the waterproof membrane therebetween.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 10 canpromote a dehumidifying effect together with a gradient in temperaturebetween chambers generated by artificially generating a gradient intemperature in an area with the conductive porous body and amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane provided therein, which resultsin generation of an electrostatic gradient on a surface of a poroussheet made from a substance with a high insulating capability such as4-ethylene fluoride or polyethylene or the like, so that a gradient inpotential for promoting a dehumidifying effect acts continuously yetweakly between chambers or on the same membrane and adjacent to theconductive porous body, and making use of fluctuations in a generatingrate of electric power in accordance with fluctuations in an irradiatingamount of light around the apparatus.

In a dehumidifying device according to claim 11, includes at least threetypes of moisture-permeable waterproof membranes constituting the ventpath of the dehumidifying device comprises moisture-permeable membraneseach of which can be waterproofed and is set so that moisturepermeability thereof becomes higher along the direction from the boxside to the side of outside air, and is also set so that airpermeability thereof becomes lower along the direction from the box sideto the side of outside air.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 11 canpromote a dehumidifying effect together with a gradient in temperaturebetween chambers generated by artificially generating a gradient intemperature in an area with the conductive porous body and amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane provided therein, which resultsin generation of an electrostatic gradient on a surface of a poroussheet made from a substance with a high insulating capability such as4-ethylene fluoride or polyethylene or the like, so that a gradient inpotential for promoting a dehumidifying effect acts continuously yetweak between chambers or on the same membrane and adjacent to theconductive porous body, and making use of fluctuations in a generatingrate of electric power in accordance with the change in an irradiatingamount of sunlight around the apparatus.

In a dehumidifying device according to claim 12 comprises a frameforming a vent path for air communication between inside and outside ofthe box with a volume of the vent path changeably formed therein; awaterproof membrane having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes fixedto the frame with hermeticity therein; and a means extending andshrinking according to such an external environment that the frame ismoved.

With this feature, the dehumidifying device according to claim 12 canrelieve phenomena such as a back-flow phenomenon and a reverse gradientin temperature and maintain dehumidification in the box side in astabler state by changing a volume of a chamber according to externalenvironments such as temperature or atmospheric pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(a) is an explanatory view showing a dehumidifying device that isnot grounded;

FIG. 1(b) is an explanatory view showing a dehumidifying device that isgrounded.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a comparison of moisture permeability amongmembranes according to physical features shown in FIG. 32 and also acomparison of moisture permeability x air permeability when it isassumed that the moisture permeability and air permeability in themembrane 1108-N40C is set to 1.0;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a comparison of air permeability among themembranes according to the physical features shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a gradient obtained by reversingthe features shown in FIG. 2 in a simulated way;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state of dehumidification in asimulated way;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a comparison of temperatures between the boxand chambers each not being grounded in the dehumidifying device;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a comparison of humidities between the box andthe chambers each not being grounded in the dehumidifying device;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a comparison of temperatures between the boxand the chambers each being grounded in the dehumidifying device;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a comparison of humidities between the box andthe chambers each being grounded in the dehumidifying device;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a difference in humidities between a chamberin the outer side and that in the inner side each not being grounded;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a difference in humidities between the chamberin the outer side and that in the inner side each not being grounded;

FIG. 12 is a view showing a difference in humidities between the chamberin the outer side and that in the inner side each being grounded;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a comparison of temperatures in each of thechambers not being grounded;

FIG. 14 is a view showing a comparison of temperatures in each of thechambers being grounded;

FIG. 15 is a view showing a comparison of humidities in each of thechambers not being grounded;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a comparison of humidities in each of thechambers being grounded;

FIG. 17 is a view showing a comparison of humidities in each of thechambers not being grounded;

FIG. 18 is a view showing a comparison of temperatures in each of thechambers not being grounded;

FIG. 19 is a view showing image processing for meshes;

FIG. 20 is a view showing image processing for meshes;

FIG. 21 is a view showing image processing for meshes;

FIG. 22 is a view showing image processing for meshes;

FIG. 23 is a view showing image processing for meshes;

FIG. 24 is a measurement view of a surface potential voltage on thesurface and rear surface of each membrane when Experiment G2-1 isstarted;

FIG. 25 is a measurement view of a surface potential voltage of themembranes when Experiment G2-1 is ended;

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of thedehumidifying device;

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of thedehumidifying device;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of thedehumidifying device;

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of thedehumidifying device;

FIG. 30 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of thedehumidifying device;

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of thedehumidifying device;

FIG. 32 is a table showing physical features in moisture-permeablewaterproof membranes;

FIG. 33 is a table showing physical features in membranes;

FIG. 34 is a table showing the physical features continued from FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a table showing physical features in membranes;

FIG. 36 is a table showing a result of measurement;

FIG. 37 is a table showing the result of measurement continued from FIG.36;

FIG. 38 is a table showing a result of measurement;

FIG. 39 is a table showing the result of measurement continued from FIG.38;

FIG. 40 is a table showing a result of measurement; and

FIG. 41 is a table showing the result of measurement continued from FIG.40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed description is made for the present invention with reference tothe related drawings.

At first, features of metallic grounding meshes (grounded conductiveporous body) are provided as follows.

However, each of setting positions of three sheets of mesh a1, a2, a3was provided, as shown in FIGS. 1(a), (b), in a vent path 2 of a tubularbody 1 in the side of a box 3 respectively, and comparison was madebetween two types of mesh, one of which a ground was not provided(non-grounded 4) therein and other of which a ground was provided(grounded) therein.

Each of the meshes a1, a2, a3 used as a conductive porous body comprisesa sheet thereof respective, and a copper mesh with 34 mesh×32 mesh whichwas used for an experiment to compare a drying speed between meshesaccording to a thermal image analysis of the meshes was providedadjacent to each of three sheets of moisture permeable waterproofmembrane A, B, C in the same method of provision as used in theexperiment.

It should be noted that a product name of "Breathron" produced by NittoDenko Kabushiki Kaisha (physical properties: refer to FIG. 32) was usedherein for the moisture permeable waterproof membrane.

Moisture permeability according to comparison between waterproofmembranes is described as follows (refer to FIG. 2).

    1108-N40C<1100-C40A<1050-E50B

Also, air permeability is described as follows (refer to FIG. 3).

    1108-N40C>1100-C40A>1050-E50B

Herein, it is assumed that a membrane 1108-N40C with a minimum value ofthe moisture permeability thereof is set to 1.0 and others are comparedand computed according to the value, or in order to compare the moisturepermeability to fluctuations of the air permeability with the value as areference, it is thought to be necessary to multiply moisturepermeability by air permeability (assuming that 1108-N40C is set to1.0), and for this reason, if this value is added to air permeability,it is most convenient for forming a gradient of density in water vaporaccording to moisture permeability and air permeability to selectmembrane types (3) to (5) among seven types of membranes in the abovementioned.

The membrane type (7) can be selected instead of (5). Accordingly, (3),(4), and (5) are selected in Experiment G2-1 described later.

To check any connection between a gradient of density and adehumidifying effect, a membrane BRN 1103-N40A with a hole diameter of 1μm was used as an object.

The reason of using the sample as an object is because it shows thehighest numerical value in the air permeability among them, which helpsto simplify an experimental plan.

The following description shows features of the waterproof membranes A,B, C respectively, in which each of the first values indicates moisturepermeability (g/m×m×day) and each of the second values indicates airpermeability (sec/100 cc).

    ______________________________________                                        Membrane A1 BRN1103 - N40A                                                                              380    23000                                        Membrane B1    BRN1103 - N40A                                                                                            23000                              Membrane C1    BRN1103 - N40A                                                                                            23000                              ______________________________________                                    

In the features and the arrangement of membranes, which was the samestructure as that in Experiment G2-1 described later, a dehumidifyingeffect did not remarkably appear while a keeping of humidity was found,but an effect of preventing dew condensation was recognized.

Herein, combinations as follows were selected.

    ______________________________________                                        Membrane A  BRN1050 - P20B                                                                             4600   350                                           Membrane          BRN1108 - N40C                                                                                4000                                        Membrane B      BRN1100 - C40A                                                                                  1000                                        Membrane C      BRN1050 - E50B                                                                             250                                                                               18000                                        ______________________________________                                    

As Membrane A, BRN1108-N40C can be selected in place of BRN1050-P20B asa means of arranging these membranes. The reason of selecting thosemembranes will be described later.

To enhance a dehumidifying capability of the dehumidifying devicecomprising moisture permeable waterproof membranes constituting the ventpath, in consideration of a volume of a box, an inclining angle in aportion indicated by a bold line in the line graph as shown, forinstance, in the comparison in moisture permeability between membranes(refer to FIG. 2), namely a virtual line coupling between the maximumvalue and minimum value is expressed in an equation of X=-aY+b assumingthat a vertical axis in the line graph shown in FIG. 2 is set to Y axisand a horizontal axis therein to X axis, but, types of products, namelymoisture permeable waterproof membranes to be selected are just arrangedon Y axis, so that the reference code b herein indicates a valueobtained when Y is equal to zero (Y=0) as an ideal value. In accordancewith making larger a difference between the minimum value and maximumvalue in the line graph, namely making the reference code a larger, adehumidifying effect increases. Further, if the maximum value andminimum value are set to lower values, the dehumidifying effect can bemore promoted. Namely, the value of b is made smaller. Reversely, in acase where the present mechanism is used as a humidifier system,membranes may be arranged from the box to outside air so that thegradient in values will be reversed.

A relation of the gradient in temperature in cases of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4is obtained according to that in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8. For this reason,when the relation of the gradient in temperature between the side of thebox and the side of outside air is a relation reversed to that in FIG. 6and FIG. 8, the relation opposite to the arrangement in the box side aswell as in the side of outside air in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 should beset. It is needless to say that a side of water repellency of themembrane is directed toward the side of outside air and a side of anon-woven fabric is directed toward the side of the box also in a casewhere the opposite relation is to be set.

Occurrence of a gradient in temperature between chambers described laterstrongly affects a volume of each chamber relatively depending on theinclination of the gradient in temperature because a change of moisturepermeability and a change of air permeability were not set between themembranes in the arrangement of the films A1, B1, and C1.

The present apparatus is a dehumidifying device with no power and noelectric power mainly making use of fluctuations of temperature in thebox, so that various changes of the specification are conceivableaccording to regions. FIG. 4 is a simulated view of a graph showing aratio between moisture permeability and air permeability as well as of agraph of moisture permeablity×air permeablity in a case where it isassumed that the moisture permeability and air permeability of theparticular membrane to be used is set to 1.0 in a case where chambersfrom a first membrane to a fourth membrane are set by increasing onemore layer of chamber in addition to the inner side chamber and to theouter side chamber.

As described above, for instance, in a case where it is assumed that,for instance, four layers of small chamber in the dehumidifying devicedescribed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are provided therein,and in a case where a chamber in the outermost section is put under avery easily humidified environment, one reversed gradient in thedirection from the outermost chamber toward the box is set in theopening section in the side of outside air as shown in a model in FIG. 4in addition to the original dehumidifying gradient (this gradient is agradient in the portion indicated by a bold line in the line graph shownin FIG. 2 according to the arrangement in which moisture permeability isset so that it becomes higher in accordance with its movement from thebox side to the side of outside air and air permeability is set so thatit becomes lower in accordance with its movement from the box side tothe side of outside air), a gradient in density between chambers each ofwhich suppresses once flowing of water vapor in the side of outside airinto the box side is set, so that it is possible to promote dischargingof the water vapor in the drying process when the temperature is rising,for instance, during solar irradiation, and especially, in this step, ifa membrane having a smaller gradient (in the graph) as well as smallermoisture permeability as compared to membranes set between the smallchambers for setting a dehumidifying gradient in the box side and havingair permeability larger than that of a third membrane is selected for amembrane set in the side of outside air as a fourth membrane, thehumidity in the side of outside air can further be suppressed to movetoward the box side even in a case where outside air is high in humidityfor a long period of time, and the humidity inside the box can alsoefficiently be kept at a low level.

FIG. 5 is a theory on a dehumidifying mechanism on the assumption.

The air inside the box moves toward outside air with the temperature inthe box. On the contrary, the air inside the box is contracted inaccordance with lowering of the temperature of outside air, so thatbreathing phenomena occur in outside air as if the outside air passesthrough the vent path of the dehumidifying device according to thepresent invention. Also, convection of air having variable densities ofwater vapor or the like occurs in each of the small chambers. Thereoccurs a difference between an absolute rate of water vapor with thedifference of moisture permeability and the difference of airpermeability which can pass through a membrane and a air permeable ratedue to a difference between moisture permeability and air permeabilityeven under the breathing phenomena as described above, and thedifference is intentionally generated between each of the small chambersfrom the first membrane to the third membrane, and for this reason thebox side can be dehumidified. A metallic conductive porous body acts asa dielectric, especially in setting of the second membrane in the boxside, electrified water vapor at this position and at the same time hasalso such effects, that the humidity in some local portion cantemporarily be raised, including features or the like that some localpoint in a membrane adjacent to the second membrane can be cooled oreasily be dried, however, when air is sucked into the box, theelectrified water vapor is hard to pass through the membrane, but it iseasy to pass therethrough because a dielectric effect is executed ondischarging the air (on sucking the air), so that discharging of thewater vapor to the side of outside air can be promoted, which makes itmore easier to promote dehumidification from a box.

Generally, a high-conductive porous body, for instance a metallic mesh(e.g. made of stainless steel, gold, white gold, or copper or the like)has electrically low resistance, on the other hand a synthetic resinmesh (e.g. 4-ethylene fluoride, polyethylene, polyester, vinyl chloride,or nylon or the like) has electrically high resistance.

Further, it can generally be said that a high-conductive mesh is high inthermal conductivity as compared to that in a low-conductive mesh. Asone of the exceptions, there is a carbon-fibers mesh which is high inconductivity but is lower in thermal conductivity as compared to that ofthe metallic mesh.

Herein, the dielectric effect can be included in effects as a mainelement thereof and thermal conductivity can largely act on the effects.Namely, the metallic mesh contributes to uniformity of the temperatureand easily effects over the air to be cooled, on the other hand, thesynthetic resin mesh contributes to uniformity of the temperature asthermal keeping preserative effects.

Accordingly, any arrangement of a temperature gradient not contradictingto the arrangement of a temperature gradient shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8has an advantageously significant effect on stabilization of thetemperature in consideration of air permeability and convective featuresof air in a chamber.

Detailed Description of the Contents in Experiments

It is assumed that Membrane 1 is arranged in the box side and Membrane 3is arranged in the side of outside air. This experiment is described asG2-1. Each of the below grounding meshes is arranged to be set within adistance of 1 mm right above each of membranes.

    ______________________________________                                        Grounding mesh  41 × 80 mesh                                                                           φ84                                        Membrane 1     Breathron   1108 - N40C                                        Grounding mesh   41 × 80 mesh                                                                          φ84                                        Membrane 2     Breathron   1100 - C40A                                        Grounding mesh   41 × 80 mesh                                                                          φ84                                        Membrane 3     Breathron   1050 - P20B                                        ______________________________________                                    

Herein, FIG. 33 shows physical features of a membrane, FIG. 34 and FIG.35 are views each continued from FIG. 33.

FIG. 36 shows a result of measurement under conditions of setting ametallic mesh as well as a membrane in the apparatus without a groundthereof, and FIG. 37 shows a view continued from FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 shows a result of measurement under conditions of setting ametallic mesh as well as a membrane in the apparatus without a groundthereof, and FIG. 39 shows a view continued from FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 shows a result of measurement under conditions of setting ametallic mesh as well as a membrane in the apparatus without a groundthereof, and FIG. 41 shows a view continued from FIG. 40.

Next description is made for each result in each of experiments withreference to the related drawings (refer to FIGS. 6 to 18).

In figures showing each graph, it is assumed that the upper side of thevertical axis indicates a high state and the lower side thereofindicates a low state, and that numerical values are set on the verticalscale of each graph calibrated by clearly magnification in each.However, vertical magnification in each of the graphs from FIG. 6 toFIG. 18 is not the same one, and each calibration is made according toconvenience of description for each of the graphs. The referencenumerals 1 to 31 in the horizontal axis thereof indicate a number ofeach material.

At first, FIG. 6 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane areprovide therein without a ground thereof and shows the temperatureinside the box, that in the inner side chamber (in the chamber in thebox side, the same hereinafter), that in the outer side chamber (in thechamber in the side of outside air, the same hereinafter), and that ofoutside air in the order from the upper side of the vertical axis.

FIG. 7 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane are providetherein without a ground thereof and shows the humidity in outside air,that in the outer side chamber, that in the inner side chamber, and thatinside the box in the order from the upper side thereof.

FIG. 8 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane are providedtherein with a ground thereof and shows the temperature inside the box,that in the inner side chamber, that in the outer side chamber, and thatin outside air in the order from the upper side of the vertical axis.

FIG. 9 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane are providetherein with a ground thereof and shows the humidity in outside air,that in the outer side chamber, that in the inner side chamber, and thatinside the box in the order from the upper side thereof.

FIG. 10 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane are providetherein without a ground thereof and shows a value obtained by thehumidity in the outer side chamber-(minus) that in the inner sidechamber.

FIG. 11 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane are providetherein without a ground thereof and shows a value obtained by thehumidity in the outer side chamber-that in the inner side chamber.

FIG. 12 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane are providetherein with a ground thereof and shows a value obtained by the humidityin the outer side chamber-that in the inner side chamber.

FIG. 13 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane are providetherein without a ground thereof and shows, from the front side of thegraph, each value obtained by:

temperature inside the box-that in the inner side chamber,

temperature inside the box-that in the outer side chamber,

temperature in the outer side chamber-that in the inner side chamber,

temperature in outside air-that in the inner side chamber,

temperature in outside air-that in the outer side chamber, and

temperature in outside air-that inside the chamber.

FIG. 14 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane are providetherein with a ground thereof and shows, from the front side of thegraph, each value obtained by:

temperature inside the box-that in the inner side chamber,

temperature inside the box-that in the outer side chamber,

temperature in the outer side chamber-that in the inner side chamber,

temperature in outside air-that in the inner side chamber,

temperature in outside air-that in the outer side chamber, and

temperature in outside air-that inside the chamber.

FIG. 15 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane are settherein without a ground thereof and shows, from the front side of thegraph, each value obtained by:

humidity inside the box-that in the inner side chamber,

humidity inside the box-that in the outer side chamber,

humidity in the outer side chamber-that in the inner side chamber,

humidity in outside air-that in the inner side chamber,

humidity in outside air-that in the outer side chamber, and

humidity in outside air-that inside the chamber.

FIG. 16 shows a case where a metallic mesh and a membrane are settherein with a ground thereof and shows, from the front side of thegraph, each value obtained by

humidity inside the box-that in the inner side chamber,

humidity inside the box-that in the outer side chamber,

humidity in the outer side chamber-that in the inner side chamber,

humidity in outside air-that in the inner side chamber,

humidity in outside air-that in the outer side chamber, and

humidity in outside air-that inside the chamber.

FIG. 17 shows a case where a conductive porous body and a membrane areset therein without a ground thereof and shows, from the front side ofthe graph, each value obtained by:

humidity inside the box-that in the inner side chamber,

humidity inside the box-that in the outer side chamber,

humidity in the outer side chamber-that in the inner side chamber,

humidity in outside air-that in the inner side chamber,

humidity in outside air-that in the outer side chamber, and

humidity in outside air-that inside the chamber.

FIG. 18 shows a case where a (electric)conductive porous body and amembrane are set therein without a ground thereof and shows, from thefront side of the graph, each value obtained by:

temperature inside the box-that in the inner side chamber,

temperature inside the box-that in the outer side chamber,

temperature in the outer side chamber-that in the inner side chamber,

temperature in outside air-that in the inner side chamber,

temperature in outside air-that in the outer side chamber, and

temperature in outside air-that inside the chamber.

The following results are obtained after the tests described above wereexecuted.

1. A temperature gradient between chambers clearly occurs.

Refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 8.

2. In the membrane with the conductive porous body grounded, lowering ofthe temperature occurs earlier, though slowly, as compared to a casewhere the body is not grounded.

Refer to FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14.

3. On the other hand, examining on entire features of temperaturefluctuation, the membranes with the conductive porous bodiessuccessively provided and grounded as typically shown in FIG. 13 andFIG. 14 are more stable as compared to those with the bodies notsuccessively provided and grounded, and it is understood, according tocomparison between FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, that a decreasing speed of thetemperature becomes quicker.

4. In the membranes with the conductive porous bodies successivelyprovided and grounded, the temperature thereof decreases slowly andstably, but in those not successively provided and grounded, afluctuation rate of humidity outside the box is easily affected by afluctuation rate of humidity inside the box, but the humidity inside thebox requires time until a decreasing curve is made in comparison withthat for decreasing of the temperature (as compared to the above 2 and3) as recognized in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, on the other hand, in themembranes with the conductive porous bodies successively provided andgrounded, the humidity inside the box is converged to about 37% withstability which is lower as compared to that converged to 50% withstability in those with bodies not successively provided and grounded.

5. On the other hand, examining on entire features of humidityfluctuation, the membranes with the conductive porous bodiessuccessively provided and grounded as typically shown in FIG. 15 andFIG. 16 are also stabler as compared to those with the bodies notsuccessively provided and grounded, and it is understood, according tocomparison between FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, that a decreasing speed of thehumidity is going down with stability.

6. As for the phenomena described in above 2, 3, 4, as typically shownin FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, in comparison with a difference between humidityin outer side chamber and that in inner side chamber, membranes withconductive porous bodies successively provided and grounded hold astable fluctuation rate, on the other hand, membranes with conductiveporous bodies not successively provided and grounded are unstable, whichcan be supported also by the fact that the fluctuating speed isextremely high.

It is found that slight movement of electrified water vapor between thechambers occurs from a result of measurement of a surface potential of amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane (FIG. 24 and FIG. 25), and bysetting a ground of the conductive porous body, the grounded conductiveporous body can dielectrify water vapor acting as an interfering elementin moisture permeability and air permeability of the membrane, namelyelectrified air, electrified water vapor, or some other electrified gasin movement of the air between the chambers receives a dielectriceffect, so that the movement thereof can be prevented from interference,and for this reason, it is conceivable that metallic meshes successivelyprovided and grounded could reach the humidity in the box at remarkablylow level as compared to a case where the metallic meshes without beingsuccessively provided and grounded are provided. Also, convection of gasoccurs in a space of the chamber at static pressure, and the content gasin the space of the chamber receives a dielectric effect according tothe convection thereof.

It is known that water vapor in the air can be charged either positivelyor negatively, and the charge thereof shows various states especiallydepending on a difference in regions or in climates. It is also knownthat, in the charge thereof, a charging capability of water vapordepends on an electric field in which the water vapor exists and thecharge of water vapor is temporary as known phenomena in dielectricdischarge.

Accordingly, it can be considered that dielectrifying effects of aconductive porous body can easily be affected by weak potential gradienton a surface or electrostatic features generated according to a box orcomponent materials of the present dehumidifying device and theenvironment in which the materials are provided, or to a chargingcapability in the box.

It can be supported also by the fact that nonuniform dispersion of watervapor can be recognized on a membrane on discharging air or on suckingair in the thermal image measurement of the third membrane that flowvelocity of water vapor with various densities therein is captured by amesh to be promoted to discharge the air to the outer side according tolocal stagnation of air as well as to a convective phenomenon inside thechamber generated simultaneously when the humidity in the portion of thelocal air rises due to a metallic mesh.

Accordingly, the dehumidifying device according to the present inventioncan adjust, based on each applied situaton and each circumstance asrequired, a countermeasure against dielectrification in the entireprocess in the chamber so that there will be no interference withdischarging air to an air exit, promotion of forming a temperaturegradient adjacent to the membrane or in the chamber section, formationof a gradient in water vapor density in a local portion, temperaturewhich is a kinetic energy source for water-vapor particles in thechamber section, and convection or a heat radiating phenomenon generatedmainly in the chamber section and the air discharging section accordingto a gradient in a weak potential on the surface generated due to a box,component materials of the present dehumidifying device and theenvironment in which the materials are provided or a charging capability(electrification) in the box, or to electrostatic features of the same,or according to provision of methods for setting a setting direction ofthe mesh in the outer side as required or setting the mesh in the boxside depending on a difference in environments in each of which theapparatus is installed, for instance, depending on a difference inregions when the apparatus is set in a region with long solarirradiation a day, a region with high humidity, a drying region such asa desert, or on sea or a high-altitude region.

The above features result in the fact that making use of a mesh iseffective for generation of a gradient in temperature, especially theeffects, according to dielectric effects, derived from high-specificheat as well as a high coefficient of thermal conductivity or the likedue to the mesh made of metal, and promotion of a drying speed due to aground are made use of herein.

Making use of a mesh is effective for adjustment of the humidity in alocal portion in front of or back of the membrane, so that the mesh hassuch tendency that a grounded mesh is more easily dried and cooled,while a non-grounded mesh is more easily humidified and hard to becooled.

On the contrary, the above features result in the fact that placement ofa substance which is easy to be electrified inside the chamber promotesa humidity insulating effect in reverse electrostatically.

For this reason, it is possible to use the apparatus according to thepresent invention in the reverse way, by introducing humidity in outsideair, as a humidifying device which can hold humidity inside thereof at aconstant level by insulating a conductive porous body to be providedtherein or providing a large amount of substances each of which iseasily electrified and is high in water absorption such as styrene foamor the like in the chamber.

Namely, the dehumidifying device can easily be changed to a humidifyinsulating device by providing a metallic mesh which is not grounded anda substance (e.g. styrene foam or the like) which is easily electrifiedand is high in humidity insulation between chambers.

It is found by the test that interfering elements in a flow according toa conductive porous body provided adjacent to a position between thechambers affect the humidity.

In Graph 2 and Graph 4, spaces among the membranes in the direction ofthe Y axis indicating the humidity inside the box, that in an inner sidechamber, that in an outer side chamber, and that in the side of outsideair are equal to each other, so that, in a case where fluctuations in aspreading speed therebetween are compared to each other, an influence ofthe convective volume in a chamber on the humidity therein isproportional, and a gradient in the humidity between the chambers issubstantially proportional to an angle of the gradient in temperatureassuming that a volume in each chamber is set to 1:1, and for thisreason, high efficiency can be expected if a volume of a chamber isefficiently designed by applying the above condition thereto.

The spaces between membranes are set to be equal in the experiment inthe embodiment.

As for setting of moisture permeability and air permeability in eachmembrane, in a case where membranes are arranged so that moisturepermeability and air permeability thereof decrease or increase in thedirection from outside air to the box side, namely, as a result of thisintentional arrangement, a gradient in temperature occurs betweenchambers in a case where, by considering on a distance between membranesas a boundary between chambers or on a volume of each chamber so thatthe distance or the volume thereof is convenient for generation of agradient in temperature between chambers according to specificationsspecific to each region, setting of a distance or a volume in eachmembrane forming a chamber as a radial cooling space for the air passingthrough each membrane is decided as most appropriate one as necessarytaking into consideration influences thereon of a convection in thechamber, radial cooling, a convection controlling fin set in aconductive porous body or inside the chamber or the like. For instance,cool air in the outer side is set so that air permeability thereinincreases along the direction from the side of outside air to the boxside, and for this reason, especially in a case where the temperature inthe box is higher than that in outside air, the chamber is affected morestrongly by the temperature in the box side than by that in outside air,consequently, along the chambers each provided in the direction from thebox side to the outer side, temperature therein gradually decreases.

Reversely, warm air in the outer side is set so that the moisturepermeability therein gradually decreases along the direction from theouter side to the box side, and for this reason, water-vapor particlesare hard to be flown into the box side.

A rise of temperature and a decrease of an existing rate of water-vaporparticles in each volume are required for a decrease of humidity, sothat higher temperature in the box side as compared to that in theopening side of outside air in the apparatus is more convenient for abetter dehumidifying effect.

As application of a mesh, it is possible to control a convectivephenomenon according to provision of both substances each withconductivity and each with non-conductivity, or both a substance withelectrically low resistance and that with electrically high resistancetherein.

The reason is because it can be understood from the fact that nonuniformdispersion in temperature has been recognized on the membrane at thetime of discharging air or of sucking air and fluctuations intemperature have occurred in the thermal image observation of the thirdmembrane. Namely, generation of fluctuations in electrostatic potentialin accordance with a slight fluctuation in temperature indicatesfluctuations in density in water vapor in the portion, which can besupported also by the fact that the electrostatic potential in the sameportion according to electrification of water vapor is also fluctuated.

With this method as described above, the dehumidifying device can bedesigned so that a dehumidifying effect can effectively be achievedwithout preparation of various types of membrane required for changingspecifications according to a difference in regions.

This method can also be an extremely important element for itsminimization and reduction of manufacturing costs.

When conductive porous bodies identical to each other, for instance, asubstance with conductivity and that with non-conductivity or asubstance with electrically low resistance and that with electricallyhigh resistance are provided on a surface of a copper metal togetherwith each other, a concentric circle shape or a wave-front shape of amembrane is effective in a case where the conductive porous body isapplied to a landscape type for a small box (provision of asectional-typed membrane) and in a case of a portrait type for a largebox (a case of a multi-tubular type), it is effective to providemembranes each in a band shape on upper and lower portions of thetubular construction or to configure membranes along the upper and lowerportions in a wave-front shape at the portion of multi-tubular.

Furthermore, when meshes such as those made of nylon or the like whichhave preserative of temperature insulation and can be positivelyelectrified are to be used as supporting bodies for a moisture-permeablewaterproof membrane, by using the meshes on both sides of the waterproofmembrane as supporting meshes, it is possible to prevent adhesion ofdusts onto a moisture-permeable waterproof membrane with reduction of adehumidifying effect in the dehumidifying device without giving anydamage thereto.

Embodiment of Claim 10

A portion of a Peltier's electrothermal element is configured to preventa bad influence due to a leakage current from the electrothermal elementby being electrically insulated from a conductive porous body in eithera cooling side or a heat radiating side respectively, so that it ispossible so as not to give damage to a function of the conductive porousbody.

The cooling side and the non-cooling side (a side of high temperature)of the electrothermal element (a Peltier element) are connected to aconvection controlling fin through an insulating body so that a leakagecurrent can be prevented and thermal transfer can efficiently beconveyed to spaces between the chambers.

A safety device may be incorporated in the apparatus for restricting theupper limit so as not to be overworked.

Driving of the thermal element may automatically be controlled with amicrocomputer by providing a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor in,for instance, a space closed in the tube, in a bottom of a chamber inthe opening side of a box side, or in a chamber in the opening side ofthe outer side.

Embodiment of Claim 11

Painting with a difference in rates absorbing infrared rays may beapplied to the surface of an axis of the apparatus or to a position onthe periphery in which desired features are performed so that adifference in temperature due to absorption of radiant heat will begenerated.

For instance, the painting with a low absorbing rate is applied adjacentto a flange of the apparatus, and is not applied to places other thanthe flange thereof or painting with a high absorbing rate is appliedthereto.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show tables of the comparisons among waterproofmembranes respectively.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are a graph showing each ratio in a case wheremoisture permeability and air permeability of a particular membrane isset to 1.0 to arrange the membranes as described above if a number oftypes of membrane are available (refer to Graph 1 described above for adetailed example) and a graph indicating moisture permeable×airpermeable.

FIG. 2 shows a comparison of moisture permeability in the membranes(each ratio when the membrane 1108-N40C is set to 1.0).

FIG. 3 shows a comparison of air permeability in the membranes (eachratio when the membrane 1108-N40C is set to 1.0).

In a case of a landscape type of the apparatus (a case where a sectionaltype is provided), and in a case where a volume of each chamber and adistance between membranes are fixed, there may be conceivable a casewhere functions in the apparatus and the box can not quickly be adaptedto a natural harsh environment under which they are put.

Herein, matters especially needed to be considered for the apparatus arean environment of temperature and fluctuations in atmospheric pressure.

In the case as described above, as shown in, for instance, FIG. 26, in acase where a number of chambers are double-layered, namely, in a casewhere three sheets of waterproof membrane (functional porous membrane)with moisture-permeable micro-throughholes are used, each waterproofmembrane and conductive porous body are fixed with frames 13 so thatstress and relax will not occur to each waterproof membrane or theconductive porous body a2, and the frames are guided by an extendableinternal wall 11 of the chamber so that the membranes move in parallelto each other as a rule along the chamber space, and the outer side aswell as the box side in the internal wall 11 are tightly fixed to theexternal wall 12 of the chamber at the ends of the moving space of theframes or the like so as not to loose the hermeticity of each chamber,and in movement of the second membrane as well as the conductive porousbody a2, or only the second membrane B, only the conductive porous bodybelonging to the second membrane, or of only a fin if a convectioncontrolling fin belonging to the second membrane is provided, themembranes or the conductive porous bodies are set to move in parallel toeach other as a rule to the outer side or to the box side taking intoconsideration convective volume in the box-side chamber or in theoutside air-side chamber, a volume required for agitation generated dueto a convention required for radiant cooling, a speed of air to passthrough the chambers, or an effect of the convection controlling finprovided on the conductive porous body or inside the chamber, so thatthe position of the second membrane B, the conductive porous body, orthe conviction controlling fin or the like moves to the box side or tothe outer side with temperature in the outside. FIG. 27 shows asimulated view when the temperature in the box or in outside air rises,or when pressure in outside air decreases. FIG. 28 shows a simulatedview when the temperature in the box or in outside air drops, or whenpressure of outside air increases.

FIG. 29 shows a simulated view of an arrangement of a moving means in acase where a shape-memory alloy 16 is used as the moving means.

FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 show model views each of a moving system of amovable frame in a case where a frame is designed with special attentionto fluctuations in atmospheric pressure.

Then, the movement is performed by a moving means according tofluctuations in temperature in the external wall 12 or to heatconduction from the mounting section in the box side without powersupply.

As types of the moving means, a shape-memory alloy or a balloon or thelike is included.

Herein, there will be summarized an effect inside and outside of a smallchamber formed by conductive porous bodies or that obtained by providingmoisture-permeable waterproof membrane together with the conductiveporous body based on a result obtained from the test result in theembodiment.

Features of a Metallic Grounding Mesh

1. It is easily dried as compared to the equivalent mesh (a conductiveporous body) which is not grounded.

2. By selecting any substance with high-specific heat as a componentsubstance constituting a mesh (a conductive porous body), an environmentof a lower temperature than that in the circumstances can be generatedin a local area or adjacent to the local area set in the mesh(conductive porous body). In this step, if the mesh (conductive porousbody) comprising component substances each with the same specific heatis made thinner, a volume of the mesh (conductive porous body)decreases, so that this effect (a drop of temperature inside the mesh(conductive porous body) or adjacent to the mesh) decreases.

The higher an area density of a hole is, the less air permeability is,but if there are more number of structures that interfere with a flow ofthe mesh (conductive porous body), the air permeability furthermoredecreases.

Herein, the flow-interfering structure as described above is a componentelement which may interfere with proceeding of a flow of gas in thedirection to which the flow passes through the mesh, and indicates athree-dimensional structure for interference (a zigzag structure of themesh or the like) so that the flow can not pass through the mesh if theflow does not go along another alternate route as proceeding.

3. It is electrically neutral, because it is grounded.

It can make gas passing therethrough electrically neutral.

On the other hand, it can be an electrode for ionized wind.

4. In a case where a component substance comprises a metal, forinstance, if copper fabrics or the like are used, an oligodynamic actionis expected, so that, for instance, mold such as trichophytosis or thelike existing in a natural environment can be prevented frommultiplication on the mesh (conductive porous body). Also an eumyceteswhich is found in many cases in the field proofing agent or a materialcontaining a fungicide may be used as required at conductive porous bodyor in some other area in consideration of electrification thereof.

5. Also in a case where meshes such as those made of nylon or the like,by moving them adjacent to the grounded meshes, which have insulationand can be positively electrified are used for both sides of the body assupporting meshes, it is possible to prevent adhesion of dusts onto amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane with reduction of a dehumidifyingeffect in the dehumidifying device without giving any damage thereto.Because the observation on three types of membrane which are used forone and half year with a microscope in Experiment G2-1 is resulted inthat any large dusts could not be found on any of the membrane.

6. A dust removal effect can be promoted without requiring a powersource.

7. When a mesh in a direction to cut off the flow of gas is to beprovided in the direction of gas to pass through the mesh, and if it isprovided on an entire surface of, the flow can be stabilized in a casewhere it is provided in a portion functioning like a valve (e.g. theentire surface of a circle of section in a landscape type), forinstance, stabilization of the flux is such that, if the mesh(conductive porous body) is provided on a ring-shaped concentric circleinside the periphery of the circle of section in landscape-type, theflow tends to occur in the side of discharging air (because in manycases temperature in a tubular component substance, in which temperaturein an outer tube thereof tends to be low, is lower than that in airaround the tube even in a case where a resin or metal is used for thesubstance), or if the mesh is provided on a concentric circle section ofthe central side in an inner concentric circle, the flow tends to occurin the side of sucking air .

If any substance with a higher coefficient of thermal conductivityaccording to physical features of a mesh is selected, it is easier tounify a temperature distribution of a membrane by providing a singlemembrane adjacent to the mesh or near the mesh.

The above effect is supposed to increase in proportion to a thickness ofthe mesh or to a number of meshes which are superimposed on each other,however, if it is too thick, the effect will be reduced.

That is because, in a case where meshes are superimposed on each other,for instance, a temperature distribution (nonuniformity) has occurred inthe superimposed meshes.

There is a stronger tendency in which temperature in the flow passingthrough the mesh changes to the temperature in the mesh itself inproportion to the thickness of the mesh or to an increase of a number ofmeshes which are superimposed on each other under the exception of thetemperature of the passing air, and also flows are influenced by thestructure of the meshes.

8. Provision of a mesh (conductive porous body) for the purpose ofstabilization of a gradient in temperature in a local position in frontof and back of a moisture-proofing waterproof membrane or adjacentthereto simultaneously generates a rise of a density of water vaporlocally in front of and back of the same mesh (conductive porous body)or adjacent thereto in a stage in which a speed of the flow adjacent tothe mesh (conductive porous body) in the dehumidifying device is stillslow.

9. As an effect due to generation of ionized wind although the effect issupposed to be extremely small, depending on selection of any ofmoisture-permeable waterproof membranes, ionized wind can be stabilizedaccording to features of the surface potential thereof in a case whereionized wind occurs, or there is a dielectric effect or the like toelectrified gas, due to generation of ionized wind, or as an elementthat can interfere with the electrostatic physical features which themoisture-permeable waterproof membrane originally holds when thedehumidifying device (portrait type, landscape type) is used under suchenvironment that electrification in the box side or in the outer side issupposed to occur.

Water is sprayed by an ultrasonic spraying device onto four types ofmesh in total with #41×80 mesh φ 86 mm and #34×32 mesh φ 86 mm, whichare grounded and are not grounded respectively, fluctuations intemperature for each on the same time are recorded in thermal images,and changes of state of the meshes up to dry thereof and fluctuations inthe temperature thereon were observed with thermal images. In FIG. 19,FIG. 21, FIG. 22, the four types of mesh a, b, c, d are provided in aclockwise direction from the left upper side, and the mesh a indicatesone with #41×80 mesh φ 86 mm which is grounded. The mesh b indicates onewith #34×32 mesh φ 86 mm which is grounded. The mesh c indicates onewith #41×80 mesh φ 86 mm which is not grounded, and the mesh d indicatesone with #34×32 mesh φ 86 mm which is not grounded. Each of the meshesa, b, c, d is fixed to an acrylic plate having a thickness of the rearsurface of about 1 mm with an 18 mm-acrylic square bar.

FIG. 19 is a thermal image analyzing view which shows thermal images ofthe four types of mesh in a state in which neither they are irradiatedwith rays nor water is sprayed again thereonto and also the meshes arenot irradiated with infrared rays from a heat source. A significantdifference among the four types of mesh is not recognized herein.

FIG. 20 shows thermal images obtained by photographing a humidifyingstate of the dehumidifying device for a test, from the lower sidethereof, mounting a membrane therein according to the arrangementemployed in Experiment G2-1. Dispersion in the section corresponding tothe membrane as well as in temperature on the surface thereof can berecognized. A hammer-shaped image in the figure in which the referencecode i is positioned shows a sensor.

FIG. 21 shows a thermal image in a state in which rainwater was sprayedonto the meshes and the spray was stopped after 5 minutes passedtherefrom. The figure shows a state of temperature in each of the meshesobtained by cooling supporting bodies for supporting the four types ofmeshes and the meshes according to the spray of rainwater thereonto andthe meshes were changed to black. It should be noted that a sprayingposition is a center of a, b, c, d in the figure, and a band-shapedimage indicating rather high temperature in the vertical directionbetween the meshes b and d is a nozzle of the spraying device.

FIG. 22 is a thermal image obtained immediately after processes ofstopping the spray onto the meshes, and irradiating thereonto withinfrared rays from the heat source for about 5 seconds after 15 minuteshave passed from the stop to immediately stop the irradiation.

It is supposed that an image brighter in color in the figure indicatesthat it is more dried.

FIG. 23 is a thermal image obtained immediately after processes ofstopping the spray onto the meshes, and irradiating thereonto withinfrared rays from the heat source for about 5 seconds after 3 minuteshave passed from the stop to immediately stop the irradiation.

It is supposed that an image brighter in color in the figure indicatesthat it is more dried.

Conclusions

1. The mesh with #41×80 mesh φ 86 mm dries quicker, while the mesh with#34×32 mesh φ 86 mm dries slower.

2. Both of the meshes with #41×80 mesh φ 86 mm and #34×32 mesh φ 86 mmdry quicker when they are grounded.

3. The meshes are described as follows in order of decreasing dryingspeed:

    a>b>d>c

Recorded on Sep. 5, 1994 17:25:02, 015 passed after the spray wasstopped. (FIG. 22)

(An after-image of a heat source after irradiated with the heat sourcefor about 5 seconds photographed by the thermal image)

4. Data, in which four types of mesh (conductive porous bodies) arearranged and a comparison among drying speed thereof is made, is used,and if the mesh (conductive porous bodies) is adjacent to a waterproofmembrane, the features of a substance with high specific heat occur atthe position in which both of them exist or at a place adjacent theretobecause it is clear that specific heat of the mesh (conductive porousbody) is higher than that the membrane (moisture-permeable waterproofmembrane). Accordingly, the occurrence of the features as describedabove generates a rise of a density of water vapor locally in front ofand back of the membrane or in a place adjacent thereto.

Result of Measurement

FIG. 24 is a view of measuring a surface potential on the surface andrear surface of each waterproof membrane immediately after ExperimentG2-1 is started, and FIG. 25 shows a result of measurement at the timeof ending of the experiment. Both of the views are measured views eachobtained by measuring surface potential on the surface and rear surfaceof each of the membranes respectively, and a first channel is a measuredview of surface potential in the outer side of the third membrane, asecond channel in the side of the outer side chamber in the thirdmembrane, a third channel in the side of the outer side chamber in thesecond membrane, a fourth channel in the side of the inner side chamberin the second membrane, a fifth channel in the side of the inner sidechamber in the first membrane, and a sixth channel in the box side ofthe first membrane. Measured values are written in a row of date andtime, and in the side-to-side direction of the graph, the center thereofindicates 0V, the left edge indicates -1KV, and the right edge indicates+1KV.

With a result obtained from FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, it is found membranesas a boundary for forming chambers resulted in gradually being at thesame potential to be close to the surface potential 0 in a process inwhich a dehumidifying function works although the above fact is assumedas a result of that a moisture absorbing rate due to absorption of watervapor by each of the membranes might increase.

Herein, as for a moisture-absorbing state of a membrane, it is assumedthat numbers of gas-permeable holes existing on the membranes aresaturated with water vapor in comparison of a case where the moistureabsorbing rate in the cited reference does not show a large amountthereof to the contents of results obtained from two types ofmeasurement shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, accordingly, it is assumedthat the surface potential on the surface of the membrane might haveapproached zero (0).

It is understood from the results described above that, in thedehumidifying device based on the system according to the presentinvention, the thickness of a membrane which is made as thicker aspossible is advantageous for efficiently improving the movement of watervapor in chambers bounded by each of the membranes as described above,and by adjusting the thickness of a moisture-permeable waterproofmembrane (thickness diameter of a gas-permeable pore), the airpermeability thereof may be adjusted so that a gradient of a density ineach chamber can easily occur.

Selection of a substance with high insulation and a low moistureabsorbing rate or a low water absorption is more advantageous.

Reversely, it can also be derived from the results described above thatnumbers of air-permeable pores existing on the moisture-permeablewaterproof membranes are saturated with water vapor and the surfacepotential on the surface of the membrane changes the thickness of themembrane as time passes and with the dehumidification, whereby moisturepermeability can be adjusted.

It is conceivable that the saturated phenomenon with water vapor in themoisture-permeable waterproof membrane might be such a phenomenon that,in a case where chambers are under static pressure, namely a gas movingrate between chambers is extremely low, at first, dielectricpolarization between water-vapor particles occurs due to electrostaticpower, then the water-vapor particles existing in numbers of pores inthe membrane stay therein while receiving a dielectric relaxationphenomenon from the membrane. In this case, conductive elements such aswhite gold, gold, silver, and copper or the like may be provided in theinternal wall of the pore inside of conductive porous body of the poreor in one side of the membrane as a border of chambers according to ameans such as evaporation or the like.

Also, it may be designed so that a gradient in potential inside the porewill occur.

Accordingly, it is conceivable that the water-vapor particles existingin numbers of pores in the membrane adjacent to the grounded conductiveporous body tend to be dielectrified, while the water-vapor particlesexisting in the numbers of pores in the membrane opening toward thechamber side in the opposite side thereof tend to approach a statedepending on electrostatic features (electrified rows and an electrifiedrate) which the membrane itself holds.

For this reason, the arrangement of the conductive porous body shows, asdescribed above, effects to the relaxation phenomena of the dielectricpolarization of water vapor inside numbers of pores existing themembrane itself, so that it is conceivable that dehumidifying effect canbe promoted.

In a case where only the surface of a membrane is considered, contact ofa moisture-permeable waterproof membrane with a conductive porous bodymay interfere with, if water-soluble metal elements are more or lessleaked out from the conductive porous body, electric insulating featuresand electrostatic features which the moisture-permeable waterproofmembrane itself holds, so that it is required to provide a conductiveporous body and a moisture-permeable waterproof membrane without contactwith each other in the dehumidifying device according to the presentinvention.

That is because, depending on climatical environments, it is quitepossible to estimate a case where dew condensation may occur in theportion of a conductive porous body.

As means for solving the problem, there are effective means, one ofwhich a stressed conductive porous membrane is provided; and another oneof which, as a countermeasure against thermal expansion or contraction,a 3D solids wave-front form to the direction of the membrane of theconductive porous body is provided in a position decided afterconsideration of the dielectric relieving effect and convection of gasinside a chamber, and also in the same moisture-permeable waterproofmembrane, the thickness of the membrane is changed as a countermeasureagainst thermal distortion as described above, for instance, a sectionaltype of membrane in the dehumidifying device is provided so that thethickness of the membrane is made thicker in a connection sectionbetween the dehumidifying device and the membrane and the thicknessthereof is made gradually thinner in the central section thereof; and inthis case, countermeasures against prevention of a pore form fromdistortion has to be executed by changing the thickness of amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane as necessary according tospecifications based on each local characteristics taking intoconsideration, in addition to the purpose of making smaller distortionof the pore in the membrane, convection inside spaces in chambers, andrelaxation phenomena of water-vapor particles existing inside of numbersof pores in the moisture-permeable waterproof membrane.

As for a change of a moisture absorbing rate and electric conductivityof a polymer membrane, there is disclosed a change of electricconductivity along the direction of the membrane due to moistureabsorption in a case of an ordinary polymer membrane in [Handbook ofStatic Electricity: Published by Kabushikigaisha Chijin shokan; Editor:Polymer Association; Published on Oct. 11, 1990, the 11th impression ofthe second edition; ISBN4-4852-0017-0 C3042, From 1.15 in page 40 topage 41].

In the above cited reference, both a case of a large moisture absorbingrate and a case of a small moisture absorbing rate are described,however, the moisture-permeable waterproof membrane used in the presentapplication assumes that a moisture-permeable waterproof membraneshowing physical features mainly with a small rate of moistureabsorption or a small capability of water absorption is used.

As supplementary countermeasures, in a case where temperature in air tobe breathed is extremely high, especially in a case where the apparatusis quite possible to be provided under high temperature conditions, orin a case where the temperature in the box side increases extremelyhigh, as a substance with high radiant heat and having a volume requiredfor cooling of the air passing through the membrane as well as with highthermal conductivity, for instance, an aluminum fin for cooling isprovided in each chamber as a space for convection which is also aradial cooling space, or in the air exit port or in the air sucking portin the dehumidifying device, and also the membrane is provided in aposition in consideration of the thermal radiant features of theconductive porous body, which makes it possible to reduce a volumerequired for a chamber or a size of the apparatus.

On the other hand, the features described below can be obtained byproviding a carbon fiber mesh (electric weak conductive porous body)therein. Herein, the weak conductive porous body indicates a so-calledresistant body and includes also, for instance, metal oxide or the like.

Summarize of Effects due to Provision of a Weak Conductive Porous BodyAdjacent to a Membrane

Effects due to provision of synthetic-resin mesh such as a carbon-fibermesh or the like.

1. Stabilization of a gradient in local temperature in front of and backof a moisture-proofing waterproof membrane or adjacent thereto in thesynthetic-resin mesh is inferior to that in a case of metallic mesh(conductive porous body).

When a mesh in a direction to cut off the flow of gas is to be providedin the direction of gas to pass therethrough, and if it is provided onan entire surface thereof, the flow can be stabilized in a case where itis provided in a portion functioning like a valve (e.g. the entiresurface of a circle of section in a landscape type), for instance,stabilization of the flow is such that, if the mesh (conductive porousbody) is provided on a rink-shaped concentric circle inside theperiphery of the circle of section in landscape-type, the flow tends tooccur in the side of discharging air (because in many cases temperaturein a tubular component substance, in which temperature in an outer tubethereof tends to be low, is lower than that in air around the tube evenin a case where a resin or metal is used for the substance), or if themesh is provided on a concentric circle section of the central side inan inner concentric circle, the flow tends to occur in the side ofsucking air.

In a metallic mesh (electric conductive porous body), when a flow passesthrough the mesh, a drop of temperature in the flow is expected, incontrast, in the non-conductive porous body, specific heat is smallerthan that of metal in a case where a resin fiber such as nylon is usedtherefor, so that a cooling capability of the resin-fiber mesh isinferior to a metallic mesh, and in a case where a resin fiber with alower coefficient of thermal conductivity than that of metal is used, aneffect unifying each temperature in the gradient in an internalperiphery of the tube and that in a central section thereof, forinstance, in a landscape type is naturally low as compared to a metallicmesh (electric conductive porous body) because of the coefficient ofthermal conductivity lower than that of metal.

If any substance with a lower coefficient of thermal conductivityaccording to physical features of a mesh is selected, it is moredifficult to unify a temperature distribution of a membrane by providinga single membrane adjacent to the mesh or near the mesh.

The above effect is supposed to be more difficult to be performed inproportion to a thickness of the mesh or to a number of meshes which aresuperimposed on each other, however, if it is too thick, a portion inwhich a temperature is locally nonuniform is made large, so that a heatinsulating effect is increased as well as a moisture insulating effectis also enhanced.

That is because, in a case where meshes are superimposed on each other,for instance, a temperature distribution (nonuniformity) has occurred inthe superimposed meshes, specific heat therein is low and a coefficientof thermal conductivity is low, a fluctuation rate of an electrostaticvolume therein is larger than that in a portion of the membrane, and forthis reason stagnation occurs therein.

There is a stronger tendency in which temperature in the flux passingthrough the mesh changes to the temperature in the mesh itself inproportion to the thickness of the mesh or to an increase of a number ofmeshes which are superimposed on each other with nothing to do with thetemperature in the gas passing therethrough. In this process, a form ofa structure for interfering air permeability in the mesh is largelyaffected by the temperature fluctuations. That is the same as that in acase of metallic mesh.

2. A case, that provision of an electric non-conductive porous body forthe purpose of stabilization of a gradient in temperature locally infront of and back of a moisture-proofing waterproof membrane or adjacentthereto simultaneously generates a drop of a density of water vaporlocally in front of and back of the same electric non-conductive porousbody or adjacent thereto in a stage in which a speed of the fluxadjacent to the electric non-conductive porous body in the dehumidifyingdevice is still slow, less occurs as compared to a case where a metallicmesh (electric conductive porous body) is used.

Namely, in an electric non-conductive porous body, specific heat issmaller than that of metal in a case where a resin fiber such as nylonor the like is used therefor, so that a cooling capability of the meshmade of resin fiber is inferior to a metallic mesh, and in a case wherea resin fiber with a low coefficient of thermal conductivity than thatof metal is used, the coefficient of thermal conductivity is lower thanthat of metal, so that, in a case where a gradient in temperature occursin the mesh, an effect of unifying each temperature in the gradient isinferior to that of a metallic mesh.

However, in a case where temperature fluctuations before and after aflow passes through the mesh is considered, and in a case where amaterial with low specific heat and a lower coefficient of thermalconductivity is used for a mesh, a heat insulating effect is strongeropposite to a case of the metallic mesh (electric conductive porousbody) if a speed of the flow is sufficiently slow.

3. The dielectric effect in front of and back of the moisture-permeablewaterproof membrane (a moisture-permeable membrane) for stabilizing agradient in an electrostatic volume in a chamber depends on theconductivity thereof.

4. This kind of phenomenon can be realized also by providing a pluralityof concentric circular rings.

5. As an effect due to generation of ionized wind though the effect issupposed to be extremely weak, depending on selection of any ofmoisture-permeable waterproof membranes, if any material with a lowcoefficient of water absorption is selected in consideration ofstabilization of an ionized wide (depending on selection of features ofthe material for a mesh) in a case where ionized wind occurs as well asof the electrostatic features thereof, the mesh can easily maintain itsdry state and can also easily maintain the potential at a high levelwith no end of them according to features of the surface potentialthereof.

Accordingly, in contrast, any material with a low coefficient of waterabsorption and low conductivity (e.g. a substance such as thin asbestos,or thin glass fibers or the like) is easily and positively electrified,and in a case where any material with a high coefficient of waterabsorption and low conductivity is used as a mesh, the potential of themesh approaches potential 0 quicker, while in a case where any materialwith a low coefficient of water absorption and also low conductivity isused as a mesh, the material can sometimes negatively electrified (e.g.styrene foam), and depending on selection of these physical featuresused for a mesh, a gradient in potential between the material and amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane (moisture permeable membrane)occurs, and ionized wind occurs although it is extremely weak.

6. When the dehumidifying device (portrait type, landscape type) is usedunder such environment that electrification in the box side or in theouter side is supposed to occur, a drop of electrification due togeneration of ionized wind or to electrified gas as an element that caninterfere with the electrostatic physical features which themoisture-permeable waterproof membrane originally holds, and thedielectric effect depends on the conductivity or electric resistanceaccording to the component substance of the waterproof membrane, so thatif any substance with higher electric resistance is used, the dielectriceffect decreases more.

The specifically described configuration of the present invention is notlimited to the embodiments described above, and it is to be understoodthat design variations or the like without departing from the spirit andthe scope of the invention will also be included in the presentinvention.

For instance, electrically grounded conductive porous bodies aresuccessively provided and grounded in a vent path used in thedehumidifying device with a conducting line provided in a vent pipe, anda box is mounted on a mounting section of the dehumidifying device,whereby a grounded route of the vent path may be connected to the groundin the box side.

The dehumidifying device may also comprise a tubular body provided in awall section of a box and forming a vent path for air communicationbetween inside and outside of the box; a conductive porous bodyelectrically grounded provided adjacent to at least one side of awaterproof membrane having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes and ofwhich an electric resistor for an insulating or grounding line isconnected to the other side thereof; and

a vent body for arranging at least three types of vent paths eachcomprising the waterproof membrane and electric conductive porous bodyto make a pair therewith at a space from each other inside the tubularbody to shield an inside space of the tubular body into at least twochambers.

The dehumidifying device comprises a tubular body provided in a wallsection of a box and forming a vent path for air communication betweeninside and outside of the box; a conductive porous body electricallygrounded provided adjacent to at least one side of a moisture-permeablewaterproof membrane and of which an electric resistor for an insulatingor grounding cable is connected to the other side thereof; and at leastdual tubular-shaped vent bodies each with a bottom forming a portion ofthe tubular wall by the vent path comprising the waterproof membrane andelectric conductive porous body to make a pair therewith at an insidespace of the vent path, and an inside space of the vent path is shieldedinto a plurality of stages in the direction from inside of the box tooutside by providing the tubular-shaped vent bodies each with a bottominside the tubular body.

A weather shade may also be provided outside of the tubular body.

Temperature sensors such as a thermistor set in each chamber, a box, orin a outer side other than a fixed resistor is used for a groundedcircuit of the electric conductive porous body as a variable resistor,and by selecting thermistors (NTC, PTC, CTR, or the like) eachappropriate features discretely for a vent path in each chamber, aninside or outside of the electric conductive porous body, a weathershade provided in the outside of the dehumidifying device, a solarbattery section, an outside wall section, a vent path section, and amounting section to the box side or the like according to any useenvironment (local characteristics) of the dehumidifying device asnecessary, resistance or impedance in the grounded circuit of eachelectric conductive porous body may be adjusted according to a change ofan external environment or fluctuations in temperature in the box side.The grounded circuit may reversibly be cut off or connected with athermoswitch (a temperature-sensing reed switch or the like) accordingto a particular temperature in each section.

As a power source used in Embodiment of claim 10, a solar batterymounted on the weather shade or the wall in the box side or some otherplace may be used for a power source. A current rate generated in thiscase changes depending on a state of receiving a light, so that a driveof a Peltier's thermoelectronic element may be adjusted using a state ofreceiving a light.

Either a vent body heat-producing by absorbing moisture or amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane with the property of heatproducing by absorbing moisture may be provided in the vent path.However, in these cases also, the moving direction of water vapor isactively controlled to promote a discharge thereof in consideration of agradient in temperature or a gradient in water-vapor density. Also, themoving direction thereof is controlled so that a gradient therein willbe reversed, which may be applied for suppression of the back flow.

The tubular body may have dual walls for protecting the body fromdisturbance which are used as a structure of heat insulation for a spaceof a chamber, whereby the structure may not be reversely affected ontogeneration of a gradient in temperature in each chamber.

In the most ideal method as a mounting means of the dehumidifyingdevice, by contacting the wall section in a box side of the apparatuswith the internal wall of the box having a heat-insulated layer, forinstance, a box having a metallic laminating structure filled withurethane, and also contacting the wall section in the outer side thereofwith the outside of the box, a dehumidifying effect can be promoted,water vapor or the like in the outer side can be suppressed to flow inthe box, and effects in the apparatus capable of resisting significantfluctuations in outside air can easily be obtained.

That is because electric equipment accommodated in a box tends toproduce heat in many cases and a time indicating significant fluctuationin temperature on the external wall of the box, in many case, occupies alarge amount within a total dehumidifying time (in a case of Japan).

When the apparatus is to be attached to a box with no heat-insulatedlayer, the box side of the apparatus may be contacted therewith base onthe same theory as described above in a state in which the apparatus isprojected to the external wall of the box.

As for the direction of attaching the apparatus thereto, the bottom ofthe lower side of the box is the best, but it may be attached to theside wall thereof.

As for specifications covering extremely cold weather, reversely themethod as described above, the outer side of the apparatus may becontacted with the external wall of the box.

The above positional effect is acted effectively on generation of agradient in temperature in each of the chambers of the apparatus or achamber and inside of the box with a membrane therebetween.

The main body of the electric conductive porous body may comprisesubstances each having a different thermal conductivity so thatgeneration of gradient in temperature will be promoted. Also, a heatinsulating board may be provided in an external tube as necessary.

The main body (tubular body) may comprise substances each having adifferent electric conductivity or electrification so that generation ofgradient in electrostatic volume between chambers or the like will bepromoted.

An electric conductive porous body and a waterproof membrane (functionalporous membrane) are arranged in the same idea as that for ExperimentG2-1 executed in a state in which the heat insulating side of thewaterproof membrane directs towards the box side so as not to give anydamage to the electrostatic features of the membrane, namelyelectrification thereof, namely electric insulating strength thereof,and when the same heat insulating side (non-woven fabric) is arranged onthe box side, a structural body having conductivity on the surface ofthe non-woven fabric, or fibers having conductivity, or the evaporatedlayer of a conductive substance may be a structure integrated with themembrane.

A porous body showing semiconducting features may also be used as anintermediate element.

An insect-proofing net or a dust-proofing net may be provided on theopening section in the outer side of the dehumidifying device. Theinsect-proofing net or the dust-proofing net may employ a drooping shapein the central section thereof so as not to hold water droplet, or a finfor protection against a windstorm with a shape suitable for drying it(especially a less concave shape in the vertical direction) may beprovided on the outside of the insect-proofing net or the dust-proofingnet.

Provided in each of the chambers as a space for a passage of airbreathing in and out between the box and outside air is an accumulatoropening to the outer side, and the accumulator may restrict or cut off asectional area of air passing therethrough when the accumulator ismassive so that the air is brought into close contact with the side wallof each chamber or a speed of flowing-in thereof is restricted when theaccumulator is massive for the purpose of preventing air containingwater-vapor particles from abrupt flow-in to the box side from the outerside between chambers when a sudden drop of temperature in the outsideor a sudden rise of atmospheric pressure therein is about to occur underabrupt fluctuations in temperature or in atmospheric pressure in theoutside environment under which the box is installed. It is needless tosay that a number of the accumulator to be provided may be a pluralitythereof or a single one.

As a protecting countermeasure against clogging in membranes orgrounding meshes forming each chamber (small chamber) in the openingsection in the box side, an air vibration plate or a coil for actuatingvibration of the air in each chamber may be provided inside of the boxso that air vibration is generated for each specified time interval byan amplifier for outputting a low frequency and all the membranes,grounding meshes, or dust-proofing nets or the like can be preventedfrom clogging.

Fluctuations in a volume of a chamber space, or movement of an electricconductive porous body or a convection controlling fin may be designedto be manually carried out from outside. A frame 13 may electrically bemoved to a outer side or to a box side, for instance, by spirally movingan external wall (tube) 12.

In the dehumidifying device according to claim 10, especially,temperature inside the box, in each chamber, and in outside air may bedetected with a thermosensor so that each position of the temperaturewill be changed according to control by a microcomputer.

As for a moving method of a frame, a parallel movement may be employedso that hermeticity between the box side and each chamber space or theouter side in a small chamber will be maintained, while as a method ofnot interfering with a convective phenomenon in a vent path, a spiralmovement may be employed for movement of the moving frame or the like.

Other than a shape-memory alloy used for movement of the moving frame,an internal wall 1 may be constructed by an elastic body capable offlexible contraction. The internal wall 1 is formed with amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane, and at that time the characterof a hole is changed in a folding section, so that the membrane may beprovided in a position away from the section. Also, a material in thisfolding section can expand or contract according to a change of moistureabsorption. For instance, the movement of the frame may be controlled byusing natural fiber of cotton or silk as a non-woven fabric.

In a case where significant fluctuations in temperature occur andtemperature in outside air is also high, as shown in FIG. 30, aninternal wall 14a with an elastic body flexible to contraction isprovided in the box side chamber to form a portion 14b continued to theinternal wall 14a positioned outside of the internal wall 14a whichforms a space 14c closed by the internal wall 14a in accordance with arise of the temperature in the external wall 15 or a rise of temperaturein the side of the box (internal wall of the box or external wallthereof).

The internal space 14c expands, with a rise of temperature, according toair or gas contained therein, which causes a sectional area for gaspassing therethrough in the box side chamber to shrink and at the sametime makes a second membrane B move to the outer side. At that time, theinternal walls 14a and 14b have a balloon in doughnut-shaped form, sothat the second membrane B can move in parallel to a first membrane A ora third membrane C even in a case where temperature in the box or theexternal wall 15 of the apparatus rises nonuniformly.

When the temperature drops, the internal space 14c shrinks, thesectional area of the vent path enlarges and at the same time the secondmembrane B approaches the side of the first membrane A.

As for the internal wall 14a or 14b, the thickness thereof may bethinned at the most expanded section so that the above movement can bepromoted. The internal wall 11 shown in FIG. 26 may exist in a positionexcept a balloon section (accumulator section) by the internal wall 14aor 14b shown in FIG. 30.

In a case where the apparatus is used under such environment that asudden fluctuation in atmospheric pressure may occur, the internal wall14 with an elastic body flexible to contraction may be provided in theouter side chamber as shown in FIG. 31, and a traffic path 18 for aircommunication with outside field through a waterproof membrane 19 havinghigh air-permeable and moisture-permeable micro-throughholes may beprovided in the most lower side of the content of the elastic body. Inthis case, the elastic body contracts in accordance with reduction ofthe pressure in outside air so as to closely contact with the externalwall 15, and at the same time the chamber in the outer side shrinks, onthe contrary, the elastic body expands with increasing of pressure inoutside air which makes the second membrane B approach the firstmembrane A side namely the box side in parallel, so that a relation of avolume between chambers to suppress the movement of water vaporcontained in outside air to the box side can be maintained, and aback-flow phenomenon with a phenomenon of a drop of temperature insideof the box in accordance with increasing of temperature in outside airor a back-flow phenomenon due to back pressure generating with adifference in air permeability between waterproof membranes each havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes can be suppressed.

As for a sliding form of the moving section along the external wall 15,the parallel movement may be employed or a groove as a guide forrestricting a moving state such as a spiral movement or the like may beprovided thereon.

In the mounting section of the box, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), a bank forpreventing the first membrane or the like from being soaked in water maybe provided therein against intrusion of water into the box due tocondensation of a large amount of water vapor intruded by an accident ordue to breakage of hermeticity in the box side. Also, an air cut valvefor discharging water may be incorporated in the tubular body of thedehumidifying device. A net 39 for protecting the electric conductiveporous body a1 and the first membrane A, or a drop-proof shade 3b may beprovided thereon.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

The dehumidifying device according to claim 1 can promote adehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying function fromreduction due to strongly electrified gas which caused a dehumidifyingeffect not to be achieved in a conventional type of dehumidifyingdevice, namely in the apparatus partitioned into small chambers eachshielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranes into a plurality ofstages therein, because electrification in air, surroundings, or of thegas in the box side receives a dielectric effect along the vent pathcomprising an electrically grounded conductive porous body providedadjacent to at least one side of a waterproof membrane havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewith, or byselecting any gradient in humidity, obtained by making use of thedielectric effect, between the small chambers as required according tothe environment.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 2 can promote adehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying function fromreduction due to more strongly electrified gas as compared to that in acase where the electric conductive porous body is partially grounded bywhich a dehumidifying effect could not be achieved in the conventionaltype of dehumidifying device, namely in the device partitioned intosmall chambers each shielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranesinto a plurality of stages therein, because electrification in air,surroundings, or of the gas in the box side receives a dielectric effectby the vent path comprising conductive porous bodies successivelyprovided and electrically grounded each adjacent to at least one side ofeach of the waterproof membranes having moisture-permeablemicro-throughholes to make a pair therewith, and by making weatherproofing higher, increasing a protecting capability against spoiling ofthe device or by selecting any gradient in humidity, obtained by makinguse of the dielectric effect, between the small chambers as requiredaccording to the environment.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 3 can promote adehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying function fromreduction due to strongly electrified gas which caused a dehumidifyingeffect not to be achieved in the conventional type of dehumidifyingdevice, namely in the device only partitioned into small chambers eachshielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranes into a plurality ofstages therein, because electrification in air, surroundings, or of thegas in the box side is dielectrified by the vent path comprising anelectrically grounded conductive porous body provided adjacent to atleast one side of a waterproof membrane having moisture-permeablemicro-throughholes to make a pair therewith and suitable for a largertype of airtight box because of a higher discharging rate which candehumidify more than that in the dehumidifying device according to claim1, or by selecting any gradient in humidity, obtained by making use ofthe dielectric effect, between the small chambers as required accordingto the environment.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 4 can promote adehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying function fromreduction due to more strongly electrified gas as compared to that in acase where the electric conductive porous body is partially grounded bywhich a dehumidifying effect could not be achieved in a conventionaltype of dehumidifying device, namely in the device only partitioned intosmall chambers each shielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranesinto a plurality of stages therein, because electrification in air,surroundings, or of the gas in the box side receiving a dielectriceffect along the vent path comprising conductive porous bodiessuccessively provided and electrically grounded each adjacent to atleast one side of each of the waterproof membranes havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewith andsuitable for a larger type of airtight box because of a higherdischarging rate which can dehumidify more than that in thedehumidifying device according to claim 2, and by making weatherproofing higher, increasing a protecting capability against spoiling ofthe device or by selecting any gradient in humidity, obtained by makinguse of the dielectric effect, between the small chambers as requiredaccording to the environment.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 5 can promote adehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying function fromreduction due to more strongly electrified gas as compared to that in acase where the conductive porous body is partially grounded by which adehumidifying effect could not be achieved in the conventional type ofdehumidifying device, namely in the device only partitioned into smallchambers each shielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranes into aplurality of stages therein, because electrification in air,surroundings, or of the gas in the box side is dielectrified by the ventpath comprising conductive porous bodies successively provided andelectrically grounded each adjacent to at least one side of each of thewaterproof membranes having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes tomake a pair therewith and suitable for a larger type of airtight boxbecause of a higher discharging rate which can dehumidify more than thatin the dehumidifying device according to claim 2, and by making weatherproofing higher, increasing a protecting capability against spoiling ofthe device or by selecting any gradient in humidity, obtained by makinguse of the dielectric effect, between the small chambers as requiredaccording to the environment.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 6 can promote adehumidifying effect by preventing a dehumidifying function fromreduction due to more strongly electrified gas as compared to that in acase where the electric conductive porous body is partially grounded bywhich a dehumidifying effect could not be achieved in the conventionaltype of dehumidifying device, namely in the device only partitioned intosmall chambers each shielded by moisture-permeable waterproof membranesinto a plurality of stages therein, because electrification in air,surroundings, or of the gas in the box side is dielectrified by the ventpath comprising conductive porous bodies successively provided andelectrically grounded each adjacent to at least one side of each of thewaterproof membranes having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes tomake a pair therewith and suitable for a larger type of airtight boxbecause of a higher discharging rate which can dehumidify more than thatin the dehumidifying device according to claim 2, and by making weatherproofing higher, increasing a protecting capability against spoiling ofthe device or by selecting any gradient in humidity, obtained by makinguse of the dielectric effect, between the small chambers as requiredaccording to the environment.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 7 can improve adehumidifying effect as well as suppress a sucking speed of gas in theouter side at the time of sucking gas by selecting any shape, with whichthe electric conductive porous body can uppermost be effected, among acombination of electric conductive porous bodies with a wave-front shapeand a concentric circular shape or a combination of the electricconductive porous bodies with the same shape each required for designinga shape so that the electric conductive porous body exists in a path inthe discharging air side as the most appropriate one to avoid thefluctuation because an electric conductive porous body with a simpleconcentric circular shape may generate an unstable element, because theelectrically grounded conductive porous body in the vent path used inthe dehumidifying device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 has awave front shape or a concentric circular shape provided in a positiondecided in consideration of convection in each chamber, and theelectrically conductive porous bodies are placed in a position decidedby taking into consideration a difference between temperature in theside to be dehumidified and that in the outer side in accordance withvibration of flow due to inconsistency of convective gas in densitygenerated by convection in each of small chambers, so that, even in onesheet of conductive porous body, there are places with a large flow anda small flow which fluctuate according to a velocity of flow namely flowvelocity, a flux of the flow namely a flux, or to gas density in outsideair.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 8 can also adjust a dryingspeed at a constant level by adjusting a gradient in an electrostaticpotential adjacent to a moisture-permeable waterproof membrane as aninterface between chambers or adjusting the density in water vaportherein according to a use of gradient in potential in an electricresistor or without connecting a discrete electric resistance to theelectric conductive porous body.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 9 can adjust a drying speedwithout adding any discrete electric resistor to a grounded circuit.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 10 can promote adehumidifying effect together with a gradient in temperature betweenchambers generated by artificially generating a gradient in temperaturein an area with the electric conductive porous body and amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane provided therein, which resultsin generation of an electrostatic gradient on a surface of a poroussheet made from a substance with a high insulating capability such as4-ethylene fluoride or polyethylene or the like, so that a gradient inpotential for promoting a dehumidifying effect acts continuously yetweak between chambers or on the same membrane and adjacent to theelectric conductive porous body, and making use of fluctuations in agenerating rate of electric power in accordance with fluctuations in anirradiating amount of light around the apparatus.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 11 can promote adehumidifying effect together with a gradient in temperature betweenchambers generated by artificially generating a gradient in temperaturein an area with the electric conductive porous body and amoisture-permeable waterproof membrane provided therein, which resultsin generation of an electrostatic gradient on a surface of a poroussheet made from a substance with a high insulating capability such as4-ethylene fluoride or polyethylene or t like, so that a gradient inpotential for promoting a dehumidifying effect acts continuously yetweak between chambers or on the same membrane and adjacent to theelectric conductive porous body, and making use of fluctuations in agenerating rate of electric power in accordance with fluctuations in anirradiating amount of light around the apparatus.

The dehumidifying device according to claim 12 can buffer phenomena suchas a back-flow phenomenon and a reverse gradient in temperaturecontradicting against conditions such as a gradient in temperaturebetween chambers required for the dehumidifying device generated due totemperature in outside air and a sudden fluctuation in atmosphericpressure of outside air in a relation of a distance between the chamberin the box side and the chamber in the outer side and in a relation ofthe volumes therebetween and a gradient in an electrostatic volumegenerated with a gradient in density of water vapor between thechambers, and can maintain dehumidification in the box side in a stablerstate.

The dehumidifying device according to the present invention can change adegree of dehumidification in an internal space of the box as a spacefor an object to be dehumidified, without power and power source as arule, corresponding to a significant fluctuation in an externalenvironment, prevent abrupt thermal-insulated cooling of an electricconductive porous body, a convection control fin, or a wall section inthe chamber side, and can prevent more safely dew condensation insidethe space in each of the chambers.

In a case where a shape-memory alloy is used as a moving means, it canbe moved in parallel by depending on fluctuations in temperature on theexternal wall, but in this case, a frictional resistance occurs when amoving section is moving. And for this reason, by hanging a frame of thesecond membrane section so that the frame is hung by a piece ofshape-memory alloy at the central section of the frame, distortion ofthe shape-memory alloy or a rise of a frictional resistance can beprevented.

In a case where a balloon is used as a moving means, the balloon expandsin accordance with a rise of temperature on the external wall to makethe sectional area of the vent path shrink, in a case where the ventpath comprises two sheets of membrane the second membrane is moved tothe outer side, and in a case where the vent path comprises three sheetsof membranes, the second membrane is moved thereto, namely by making thevolume of the box side chamber larger as compared to that of the outerside chamber, movement of water vapor to the outer side can be promotedby passing water vapor, inside the box having passed through theelectric conductive porous body and the first membrane in a state inwhich the water vapor maintain sufficient diffusion energy therein,through the electric conductive porous body and the membrane in thesecond membrane section, and by shrinking a volume of the chamber in theouter side, a total amount of movement due to convection of air in theouter side of chamber is relatively reduced, so that a back-flowphenomenon in accordance with a decrease of temperature inside the boxrelatively generated when temperature in outside air is increasing aswell as a back-flow phenomenon due to back pressure generating accordingto a difference in a gas permeable rate between membranes each havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes can be suppressed, and diffusionof water vapor from the box side chamber to the outer side chamber ispromoted, and as a result, the diffusion of water vapor from the boxside chamber to the outer side chamber is promoted, so that adehumidifying effect can be promoted.

On the other hand, in a case where the temperature on the external walldrops in accordance with a drop of temperature in outside air or with adrop of the temperature in the box side, the moving section approachesthe box side, which makes the total amount of movement due to convectionof air in the outer side of chamber increase and also makes a movingspeed of the water vapor in the outer side to the box side slower, andfor this reason, the volume of the box side of chamber, viewing from thebox side, decreases as compared to the volume of the outer side ofchamber, and a result, a moving speed of water vapor from the box tooutside air is promoted, so that the back-flow phenomenon, as describedabove, in accordance with a decrease of temperature as well as theback-flow phenomenon due to back pressure generating according to adifference in a gas permeable rate between membranes each havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes can be suppressed.

The balloon give a thermal insulating effect to the vent path, so thatit has a double effect of buffering abrupt thermal conduction from thebox side as well as of promoting a dehumidifying effect.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the dehumidifying device according to the presentinvention is effective in dehumidification in various types ofcontrolling box, a gear case, a container, a wave guide, an antenna domefor microwaves or the like each of which does not require instantdehumidifying effects, and is especially suitable for dehumidifying anairtight box which does not receive any inspection thereof for a longperiod of time.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dehumidifying device comprising:a tubular bodyprovided in a wall section of a box and forming a vent path for aircommunication between inside and outside of said box; and a vent bodyformed by providing an electrically grounded conductive porous bodyadjacent to at least one side of a waterproof membrane havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewith andarranging at least two pairs thereof at a space from each other insidesaid tubular body to shield an inside space of said vent path into atleast one chamber in the direction from said box to the outside.
 2. Adehumidifying device comprising:a tubular body provided in a wallsection of a box and forming a vent path for air communication betweeninside and outside of said box; and a vent body formed by providingelectric conductive porous bodies successively provided and electricallygrounded each adjacent to at least one side of each of waterproofmembranes having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pairtherewith and arranging at least two pairs thereof at a space from eachother inside said tubular body to shield an inside space of said ventpath into at least one chamber in the direction from said box to theoutside.
 3. A dehumidifying device comprising:a tubular body provided ina wall section of a box and forming a vent path for air communicationbetween inside and outside of said box; and a tubular-shaped vent bodywith a bottom formed by providing an electrically grounded conductiveporous body adjacent to at least one side of a waterproof membranehaving moisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewithand forming a portion of the wall of the tube therewith; wherein saidvent path is shielded in the direction from inside of said box to theoutside by providing said tubular-shaped vent body with a bottom insideof said tubular body.
 4. A dehumidifying device comprising:a tubularbody provided in a wall section of a box and forming a vent path for aircommunication between inside and outside of said box; and atubular-shaped vent body with a bottom formed by providing conductiveporous bodies successively provided and electrically grounded eachadjacent to at least one side of each of waterproof membranes havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewith andforming a portion of the wall of the tube therewith; wherein said ventpath is shielded in the direction from inside of said box to the outsideby providing said tubular-shaped vent body with a bottom inside of saidtubular body.
 5. A dehumidifying device comprising:a tubular bodyprovided in a wall section of a box and forming a vent path for aircommunication between inside and outside of said box; and a vent bodyformed by providing an electrically grounded conductive porous bodyadjacent to at least one side of a waterproof membrane havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes and arranging a plurality of saidmembranes at a space from each other inside said tubular body to shieldan inside space of said vent path into a plurality of small chambers. 6.A dehumidifying device comprising:a tubular body provided in a wallsection of a box and forming a vent path for air communication betweeninside and outside of said box; and a vent body formed by providingconductive porous bodies successively provided and electrically groundedeach adjacent to at least one side of each of waterproof membraneshaving moisture-permeable micro-throughholes and arranging a pluralityof said membranes at a space from each other inside said tubular body toshield an inside space of said vent path into a plurality of smallchambers.
 7. A dehumidifying device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,or 6; wherein the electrically grounded conductive porous body in thevent path used in said device according to any of said claims has awave-front shape or a concentric circular shape and is provided in aposition with consideration of a convective phenomenon in each chamber.8. A dehumidifying device comprising:a tubular body provided in a wallsection of a box and forming a vent path for air communication betweeninside and outside of said box; and a vent body formed by providing aweak conductive porous body comprising a porous electric resistor withhigh electric resistance adjacent to at least one side of a waterproofmembrane having moisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pairtherewith and arranging said membrane and conductive porous body as apair constituting the vent path at a space from each other inside saidtubular body to shield an inside space of said tubular body.
 9. Adehumidifying device comprising:a tubular body provided in a wallsection of a box and forming a vent path for air communication betweeninside and outside of said box; and at least dual tubular-shaped ventbodies each with a bottom formed by providing a weak electric conductiveporous body comprising a porous electric resistor with high electricresistance adjacent to at least one side of a waterproof membrane havingmoisture-permeable micro-throughholes to make a pair therewith andforming a portion of the tubular wall thereby constituting the ventpath; wherein an inside space of said vent path is shielded into aplurality of stages in the direction from inside to outside of the boxby providing said tubular-shaped vent bodies each with a bottom insidesaid tubular body.
 10. A dehumidifying device according to claims 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9; wherein said vent path comprises a thermoelectronicelement which directs its heating section toward the box side and alsodirects its cooling section toward the side of outside air with thewaterproof membrane therebetween.
 11. A dehumidifying device accordingto claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9; wherein moisture-permeablewaterproof membranes constituting at least three types of vent path ofsaid dehumidifying device comprises moisture-permeable membranes each ofwhich can be waterproofed and is set so that moisture permeabilitybecomes higher along the direction from the box side to the side ofoutside air, and is also set so that air permeability becomes loweralong the direction from the box side to the side of outside air.
 12. Adehumidifying device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9comprising:a frame forming a vent path for air communication betweeninside and outside of said box in which a volume of said vent path canbe changed; a waterproof membrane having moisture-permeablemicro-throughholes fixed to said frame with hermeticity therein; and ameans extending and shrinking according to such an external environmentwhich makes said frame move.